Georgia named an unchanged side after losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland with skipper Jaba Kankava again ruled out, but Solomon Kvirkvelia was passed fit after suffering a head injury in Dublin.

The absence of Allen and Ramsey put extra emphasis on Bale to perform, and the Real Madrid forward did not disappoint during a lively start which saw him rise majestically to move within three of Ian Rush’s record 28-goal tally.

Bale did not have to wait long for his 25th Wales goal. Joe Ledley’s 10th-minute corner found him unmarked in the six-yard area to score with a trademark header.